Insecticidal Action of Five Plants Against Maize Weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

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Maribet L. Parugrug
Aurea C. Roxas*

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal action of five locally available plants namely: Azadirachta indica (Neem), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass), Lantana camara (Lantana), Ocimum basilicum (Basil) and Tagetes erecta (African marigold) against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. following the repellency, adult mortality and antioviposition and growth inhibition tests. Results revealed that all test materials exhibited repellency action against maize weevil. Powdered leaves of neem and lantana were noted to be highly repellant while powdered leaves of lemon grass, basil and African marigold were observed to be moderately repellant against maize weevil within 96 hours of exposure. Corn grains treated with powdered leaves of lemon grass and basil exhibited a low mortality of 5.33% and 0.66%, respectively, at 24 DAII. Other test plants revealed zero adult mortality. None among the test plants manifested antiovipositional and growth inhibitory action against maize weevil. All examined corn grains except for carbaryl - treated corn grains showed larval tunnel. The total development period of the maize weevils emerged from both treated and untreated corn grains was the same (39 days) and 100% insect survival was noted indicating zero percent of insects that reached larval or pupal stages only. The adult body weight was comparable among treatments.


KEYWORDS: Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, Coleoptera: curculionidae, Azadirachta indica (Neem)


E-mail: au_roxas24@yahoo.com

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Original Research Articles

References

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